NHCO: Release of health details 'could result in a jail term'

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Release of health details 'could result in a jail term'
POUNGCHOMPOO PRASERT
THE NATION

UNAUTHORISED LEAKS A CRIME, NHCO SAYS

BANGKOK: -- THE NATIONAL Health Commission Office (NHCO) has warned against the unethical public release of patients' medical information.

If such a release - on social media, for example - proved damaging, it could be seen as a legal offence under the National Health Act.

"The offence is punishable by a jail term of up to six months and a maximum fine of Bt10,000, or both," NHCO secretary-general Amphon Jindawatthana said yesterday.

"He said either the affected patients or their relatives could take legal action.

He said if the release of information had subjected them to contempt, damage or hatred, the action could be punishable under defamation laws too.

Amphon was speaking after pictures and information of patients had been circulated lately via social media such as Facebook.

He reckoned that some exposure was made with good intentions - for example, a plea to raise financial assistance, and encourage blood donations for patients.

He suggested that the release of information on patients be based on moral principles.

His advice to persons considering posting details of others' health was: "Think first. If we were the patients, would we want the information to go public?"

He said patients' information should never be disclosed in any way that could cause them embarrassment or damage.

"Pregnancy information, for example, should not be disclosed as in some occupations the damage can be huge," Amphon said.

He said when media covered important figures' visits to patients at hospitals, media crews should not be allowed inside patients' rooms.

Amphon said medical workers should never do anything against patients' interests, including the release of information.

"Keep in mind that patients have the right to decide whether their health information should be disclosed to others or not," he said.

Amphon also emphasised the need to develop secure patient-database systems.

He said he trusted in the ethics of medical workers in general and felt there was a higher risk of information leaking from the system than through the deliberate disclosure by medical workers.


-- The Nation 2014-04-01

[Zpete]

"it could be seen as a legal offence"

...... dunno, new to me.

Of course, anything possible in LOS.

Legal offense, yeah, like in footy.

Edited April 1, 2014 by Zpete

[mrtoad]

Hopefully this will stop the scummy rescue services taking pictures of injured and dead patients by the sides of roads, or at the scene of accidents. That would be a good start.

However, Thailand has lots of laws - the problem being is that they aren't enforced correctly.

Confidentiality of patients, from my recollection is always a major part of any practitioners registration, so it isn't something that should be such a massive issue, but maybe that is because large portions of health care workers in Thailand are unregulated.

[Lupatria]

He suggested that the release of information on patients be based on moral principles.

I wouldn't hang my hopes that high in LOS.

[edwinchester]

Last year wifey and I went to a local clinic that were offering a health checkup, blood and urine tests.

As we were discussing the tests in detail the owner of the clinic proudly produced a leather bound book detailing all of her local clients. Reeling off the names she said he has bowel cancer, she has diabetes, he has liver disease etc.

I was not impressed at all with the client confidentiality and didn't proceed with the tests.

[hgma]

The average waiting area in general hospitals are usually buzzing with medical conditions

fed by bystanders and nurses and sometime even doctors who treat several patients in one room or space.

Nothing is private in Thailand, nothing!

[Card]

I wouldn't be at all surprised if most hospitals in LOS are in league with medical insurers, possibly in exchange for cash. All the insurers need do to check on insurance claims/applications is to phone the hospital or a central database to find out what the truth is about pre-existing conditions, injuries etc.

[bangon04]

"when media covered important figures' visits to patients at hospitals, media crews should not be allowed inside patients' rooms."

well yes that might be considered a reasonable request........but it would also cramp the style of the local newspapers and media reporting the details of the latest street attack, mugging or suicide....

Edited April 1, 2014 by bangon04